ALTHOUGH ABC Leisure Group was required to close as a non-essential business we never stopped moorers visiting their boats—government advice and CaRT guidance did though, writes Carl.

Once DEFRA clarified that day visits to check on boats were allowed under the Green Space initiative, we emailed all of our moorers, asking them to socially distance if they visited their boat, and let them know that the marinas were still closed to the public. Throughout the closure we have maintained a regular pattern of visits to the marinas to serve essentials to anybody residing on their boats and locally moored boats.

Operating hire fleet

We are planning on operating the hire fleet from July 4th in line with government advice. The marinas will have a phased re-opening through June once they have been made a Covid-19 safe place to work. Once re-opened the full range of services will be available (subject to Government guidance).

During the closed period we have had unprecedented levels of customer contact to transfer ho lidays to later in the year or next season. This has been made more difficult due to the requirement to work from home. This week we have asked a couple of the booking office to return so we can process the refunds to those guests who do not want to transfer.

Transferring to next year

Unlike many other holiday companies we have offered the refund option from the start of this crisis. Most guests are transferring to the same period next year so I expect a really busy start to next season—as they are transferring for the price they paid with no additional fees they are securing a 2021 holiday at the 2020 price.

[ABC Leisure Group Limited has been building and operating a hire fleet and providing full marina services to canal users for over 45 years and operate 14 marinas.]